Mescalero Care Center
Inspected within the last 6 months. Data reflects current conditions.
Mescalero Care Center has a Trust Grade of D, which means it is below average and has some concerns that families should consider. It ranks #44 out of 67 facilities in New Mexico, placing it in the bottom half of nursing homes in the state, and #2 out of 3 in Otero County, indicating that only one local option is better. The facility's trend is worsening, as it reported 30 issues in 2025, up from 14 in 2024. While staffing is a strength with a 4/5 star rating and a very low turnover rate of 0%, which is well below the state average, the care quality measures are poor, scoring 0/5 stars. Additionally, the facility has received fines totaling $32,110, which is concerning and suggests some compliance problems. Specific incidents include a failure to have qualified dietary staff, exposing residents to potential nutritional issues, and not maintaining sanitary food storage, which could lead to foodborne illnesses. Overall, while staffing appears strong, the facility has significant weaknesses in care quality and compliance that families should carefully evaluate.
- Trust Score
- D
- In New Mexico
- #44/67
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Worse
- Staff Stability ○ Average
- Turnover data not reported for this facility.
- Penalties ○ Average
- $32,110 in fines. Higher than 74% of New Mexico facilities. Some compliance issues.
- Skilled Nurses ✓ Good
- Each resident gets 150 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than 97% of New Mexico nursing homes. RNs are the most trained staff who catch health problems before they become serious.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 58 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
4-Star Staffing Rating · Above-average nurse staffing levels
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
Facility shows strength in staffing levels, fire safety.
The Bad
Below New Mexico average (2.9)
Below average - review inspection findings carefully
Below median ($33,413)
Moderate penalties - review what triggered them
The Ugly 58 deficiencies on record
May 2025
29 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0552
(Tag F0552)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure residents and/or their representatives were informed in advance of what medications they received and understood the reasons, risks,...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Comprehensive Assessments
(Tag F0636)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Recite from 05/22/24
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure a comprehensive MDS was completed withi...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0637
(Tag F0637)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to complete a significant change (major decline or improvement in the ...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0638
(Tag F0638)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure that an MDS was completed every three months for 2 (R #1, and R #9) of 9 (R #1, R #2, R #3, R #4, R #5, R #6, R #9, R #11, and R #12...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
MDS Data Transmission
(Tag F0640)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to have MDS assessments completed, submitted, and finalized in a timel...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0655
(Tag F0655)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to create an accurate baseline care plan (minimum healthcare informati...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Comprehensive Care Plan
(Tag F0656)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Recite from 05/22/24
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to develop an accurate, person-centered comprehen...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Accident Prevention
(Tag F0689)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to keep residents free from accidents for 1 (R #118) of ...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0943
(Tag F0943)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to provide abuse, neglect, and exploitation training to 1 staff (RN #24) of 5 (RN #24, LPN #25, CNA #26, RN #27 and CNA #28) staff sampled for...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0949
(Tag F0949)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Recite from 05/22/24
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to provide behavioral health training (training that helps staff recognize and respond to various behavioral and mental h...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Notification of Changes
(Tag F0580)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to notify the provider of abnormal vital signs (blood pressure and hea...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0605
(Tag F0605)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review, observation, and interview, the facility failed to ensure residents did not receive psychotropic medicat...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0628
(Tag F0628)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to provide the required discharge or transfer information to the resid...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Assessment Accuracy
(Tag F0641)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure the Minimum Data Set Assessment were accurate for 3 (R #9, R...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0657
(Tag F0657)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Recite from 05/22/24
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure care plan revisions occurred for 4 (R #...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0658
(Tag F0658)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, record review, and interviews, the facility failed to meet professional standards of practice (established...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0679
(Tag F0679)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and interview the facility failed to provide an ongoing activity program to support residents in their ch...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0712
(Tag F0712)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Recite from 05/22/24
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure that residents had a physician visit at...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0730
(Tag F0730)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to complete performance reviews at least every 12 months for 1 (CNA #26) of 2 (CNA #26 and CNA #28), CNAs sampled for 12 hours of annual train...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Drug Regimen Review
(Tag F0756)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure the consultant pharmacist's recommendations were reviewed an...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Dental Services
(Tag F0791)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Recite from 05/22/24
Based on record review and interview the facility failed to ensure residents obtained dental services for 3 (R #9, R #10 and R #123) of 4 (R #9, R #10, R #121 and R #123) resident...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Medical Records
(Tag F0842)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Recite from 05/22/24
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure medical records were complete and accur...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0941
(Tag F0941)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure that nursing staff have completed the mandatory Effective Communication training for 3 (RN #24, LPN #25, CNA #26) of 5 (RN #24, LPN ...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0942
(Tag F0942)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to provide resident rights training (training that helps staff promote and protect the rights of each resident and places a strong emphasis on...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0944
(Tag F0944)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure that nursing staff have completed the mandatory QAPI (Quality Assurance/Performance Improvement) training for 3 (RN #24, LPN #25, CN...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0945
(Tag F0945)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to provide infection control training (training that helps staff recognize various infection control prevention to help stop the spread of inf...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0947
(Tag F0947)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure that each CNA received a minimum of 12 in-service hours a year based on hire date for 1 (CNA #26) of 2 (CNA #26, and CNA #28) CNAs s...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0801
(Tag F0801)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on an interviews the facility failed to employ a Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) that met the requirements as follows:
(A) A certified dietary manager; or
(B) A certified food service manager; ...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Recite from 05/22/24
Based on observation and interview, the facility failed to store and serve food under sanitary conditions in accordance with professional standards of food service safety for all ...
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Feb 2025
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(E)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0561
(Tag F0561)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Past Noncompliance
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to promote resident self-determination (the ability to make your own choices and decisions without being controlled by othe...
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May 2024
14 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Comprehensive Assessments
(Tag F0636)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure a comprehensive Minimum Data Set Assessment was completed wi...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Comprehensive Care Plan
(Tag F0656)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to develop a comprehensive care plan for 1 (R #54) of 4 (R #51, R #52,...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Quality of Care
(Tag F0684)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure physician's orders were entered for 1 (R #155) of 1 (R #155) residents reviewed for behavioral health. This deficient practice could...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0919
(Tag F0919)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation and interview, the facility failed to ensure call lights worked and that the pull cords for the call lights in the resident's bedrooms were in reach to allow residents to call for...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0657
(Tag F0657)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review, observation, and interview, the facility failed to ensure care plan revision and care plan meeting requi...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0688
(Tag F0688)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, record review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure residents received appropriate treatment and s...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0712
(Tag F0712)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure that residents had a physician visit at least every 60 days ...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Dental Services
(Tag F0791)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview and record review the facility failed to ensure residents obtained dental services for 2 (R #102...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Medical Records
(Tag F0842)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure medical records were complete and accurate for 1 (R #51) of 4 (R #51, R #53, R #54 and R #202) residents reviewed for documentation ...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0949
(Tag F0949)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to provide behavioral health training (training that helps staff recog...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0727
(Tag F0727)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to provide services of a Registered Nurse (RN) for at least 8 consecutive hours a day, 7 days a week. This deficient practice could affect all...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to document the temperature of the walk-in refrigerator and walk-in freezer. This failure could potentially affect all 25 residents in the fac...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
QAPI Program
(Tag F0867)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on record review and interview the facility's Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) Committee failed to establish and implement policies and procedures for feedback, data collections ...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to maintain an infection prevention and control program designed to provide a safe, sanitary and comfortable environment and to help prevent t...
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Jun 2023
14 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0655
(Tag F0655)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to create a Baseline Care Plan (a plan that includes the instructions ...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Medical Records
(Tag F0842)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure documents in resident records were complete for 1 (R #77) of 2 (R #77 and R #126) residents reviewed for advanced directives (legal ...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Comprehensive Assessments
(Tag F0636)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure that a comprehensive assessment was completed within 14 days...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
MDS Data Transmission
(Tag F0640)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure that 4 (R #3, R #5, R #7, and R #9) of 9 (R #3, R #5, R #7, R #9, R #15, R #17, R #18, R #19 and R #23) residents reviewed for Resid...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Respiratory Care
(Tag F0695)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to provide respiratory care (health care discipline specializing in the promotion of optimum cardiopulmonary function, health an...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0745
(Tag F0745)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure that medically-related social services were provided for 1 (R #3) of 3 (R #3, R #5 and R #127) residents reviewed for behavioral/emo...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Medication Errors
(Tag F0758)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure that psychotropic medications (any medication capable of affecting the mind, emotions, and behavior) were prescribed for specific di...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0761
(Tag F0761)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation and interview, the facility failed to properly store medication in the medication cart for 1 (R #13) of 8 (R #4, R #8, R #9, R #11, R #12, R#13, R #17 and R #126) residents review...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation and interview, the facility failed to store and serve food under sanitary conditions in accordance with professional standards of food service safety. This could affect all 25 res...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0726
(Tag F0726)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure that licensed nurses (RN's and LPN's) and CNA's are able to demonstrate competency in skills and techniques necessary to care for re...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0727
(Tag F0727)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to have full-time Director of Nursing (DON). This has the potential to affect all 25 residents in the facility, (residents were identified by ...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0730
(Tag F0730)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to provide performance reviews and specific in-service education, based on the outcome of those reviews for 3 (CNA #21, CNA #22, and CNA #23) ...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Staffing Data
(Tag F0851)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to submit direct care staffing information to the federal agency overseeing certification for long term care facilities for January 2023-March...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0947
(Tag F0947)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure that 3 (CNA #21, CNA #22, and CNA #23) of 3 CNA's (CNA #21, CNA #22, and CNA #23) received their required annual training of no less...
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Understanding Severity Codes (click to expand)
Questions to Ask on Your Visit
- "Can I speak with families of current residents?"
- "What's your RN coverage like on weekends and overnight?"
Our Honest Assessment
- • No major safety red flags. No abuse findings, life-threatening violations, or SFF status.
- • 58 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
- • $32,110 in fines. Higher than 94% of New Mexico facilities, suggesting repeated compliance issues.
- • Grade D (45/100). Below average facility with significant concerns.
About This Facility
What is Mescalero Care Center's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns Mescalero Care Center an overall rating of 2 out of 5 stars, which is considered below average nationally. Within New Mexico, this rating places the facility higher than 0% of the state's 100 nursing homes. A rating at this level reflects concerns identified through health inspections, staffing assessments, or quality measures that families should carefully consider.
How is Mescalero Care Center Staffed?
CMS rates Mescalero Care Center's staffing level at 4 out of 5 stars, which is above average compared to other nursing homes.
What Have Inspectors Found at Mescalero Care Center?
State health inspectors documented 58 deficiencies at Mescalero Care Center during 2023 to 2025. These included: 58 with potential for harm. While no single deficiency reached the most serious levels, the total volume warrants attention from prospective families.
Who Owns and Operates Mescalero Care Center?
Mescalero Care Center is owned by a non-profit organization. Non-profit facilities reinvest revenue into operations rather than distributing to shareholders. The facility operates independently rather than as part of a larger chain. With 40 certified beds and approximately 10 residents (about 25% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in Mescalero, New Mexico.
How Does Mescalero Care Center Compare to Other New Mexico Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in New Mexico, Mescalero Care Center's overall rating (2 stars) is below the state average of 2.9 and health inspection rating (2 stars) is below the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Mescalero Care Center?
Based on this facility's data, families visiting should ask: "Can I visit during a mealtime to observe dining assistance and food quality?" "How do you handle medical emergencies, and what is your hospital transfer rate?" "Can I speak with family members of current residents about their experience?"
Is Mescalero Care Center Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, Mescalero Care Center has a clean safety record: no substantiated abuse findings (meaning no confirmed cases of resident harm), no Immediate Jeopardy citations (the most serious violation level indicating risk of serious injury or death), and is not on the Special Focus Facility watch list (a federal program monitoring the lowest-performing 1% of nursing homes). The facility has a 2-star overall rating and ranks #100 of 100 nursing homes in New Mexico. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Mescalero Care Center Stick Around?
Mescalero Care Center has not reported staff turnover data to CMS. Staff turnover matters because consistent caregivers learn residents' individual needs, medications, and preferences. When staff frequently change, this institutional knowledge is lost. Families should ask the facility directly about their staff retention rates and average employee tenure.
Was Mescalero Care Center Ever Fined?
Mescalero Care Center has been fined $32,110 across 5 penalty actions. This is below the New Mexico average of $33,400. While any fine indicates a compliance issue, fines under $50,000 are relatively common and typically reflect isolated problems that were subsequently corrected. Families should ask what specific issues led to these fines and confirm they've been resolved.
Is Mescalero Care Center on Any Federal Watch List?
Mescalero Care Center is not on any federal watch list. The most significant is the Special Focus Facility (SFF) program, which identifies the bottom 1% of nursing homes nationally based on persistent, serious quality problems. Not being on this list means the facility has avoided the pattern of deficiencies that triggers enhanced federal oversight. This is a positive indicator, though families should still review the facility's inspection history directly.